The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-12-17
Select STORY.
A BOLT FROM A CLEAR SKY.

This is the way 1t happened.
We were dining with Mrs. Mason un-
der the tent on the terrace whose walls runout
breast-high from the villa on the cliffs, one
of Newport's latest examples Of the Rena-
issance-Q ueen-Anne-Georgian style of ar
chitecture. Mrs. Mason is always making
innovations on established precedent Her
dinners under striped canvas have all the
freshness of yacht and all the comforts
of the land. The boating party of the
morning had reassembled, all save Horace
Binns, who wisely excused himself after q
rebuff from Marion, which l was magnan-
imous enough to think unmerited. l had
hoped to be seated next to Marion, but as
the hero of the hour who was supposed to
have saved all hands from shipwreek, |
held the rith q. the hostess, At first |
was not little self-conscious; T. :
trifle conceited if the truth we're told, but
l was cooled down little by noting that
Marion did not show the appreciation L
expected from her more than from the
others. In the course of the afternoon
our adventure had been threshed pretty
clean. She tried to change the topic.
Occasionally her dark blue eyes rested on
me with polite absentee expression I did
not relish, but when we took our seats a
big epergne of flowers partially hid her
face. Yet, after all, if really had done
anything worth half the talk made about
it, for whom, pray, was it done save for
her Z?
On my right sat Mrs. Larkin, who's hus-
band for some reason had not turned up
at Newport, but gossip said with laugh
that he was represented by able counsel
whether as joke or with basis of fact
who would take the trouble to find out
Next came Tommy Moore, and so on
round to Marion, who was in capital flow
of talk, and finally on to the hostess. /
had one hope left me SO far as dinner was
concerned. One of Mrs. Mason's whims
was to chassez partners, if dancing term
may be used-in other words, to give a
signal for the gentlemen to rise and move
two or three couples to the right, where
from resulted complete change of neigh
bors, right and left. Great was the rage
of those who were secretly interested in
each other spooney persons and bethroth-
ed couples, at this strategic move. On the
other hand, people like myself raised mute
prayers to heaven that our hostess would
bethink her of the movement soon.
Watching all I could see of Marion-her
shoulders perceived that she wore the
same kind of roses as at the ball the night
before-need say they were not mine ?
Once in lull of talk, her voice sounded
out and it seemed to me she was giving
her neighbor burlesque of our adventure
of the morning. Trifes like these disturb
ed my newly acquired hopes and dashed
not little the vanity that had reared
naughty head in my soul. Suppose, said
l to myself, as it flashed across me, sup
pose she is sorry she snubbed Binns
Suppose she has noted the remarkable
signs of approval of me shown to-day by
her mother Suppose that she no longer
enjoys my attentions-now that am no
longer opposed
These funeral thoughts made me glad
enough when the women rose and we
could smoke. Tommy Moore seized me
in a state of excitement, carried me to
seat apart, and after vowing that 1 had
saved his life-not that l habitat he
would be my friend forever-not that he
would-invoked assistance in matter of
unusual delicacy, for which he was fatter-
ing enough to say | possessed special gifts
Of diplomacy.
"Did you notice p he whispered 'tdid
you see? You were right alongside"
"Notice what ?"
"Mrs. Larkin-the way she made up to
me. My dear boy, l cannot help it.
There is something about me-my looks
the way dress-they all tumble"
"Pray explain" said 1, testify.
"You're joking. ] never was in quite
such fix before-be hanged if | was.
But that kind of woman always takes to
me somehow"
HWhat kind of woman?"
''Oh, well, you know, little off, Shady. |
Not diUorcte yet, you know-a stparSe
But what shall I do? IF I'm seen twice
with her at the dance tonight l might as
well pack my trunks. There are at least
three who will never forgive me-"
"Poor fellowl Who would have thought |
you SO dangerous2"
"See here, don't make fun of me. 1
can't play polo or sail boat, but, honor
bright, I'm the devil with women"
"Well, if you are, why do you come to
me for assistance? God knows I'm not SO
'Come, come, you are sure to succeed.
Binns is out of the race tell you that
privately, if you can't see it for yourself"
ssNever mind about that--stick to your
own matters. What can / do for your"
Somehow even Tommy Moore could fatter